Gay London set for Mardi Gras

Expect more than a sprinkling of sequins as Europe's biggest gay and lesbian event, the Mardi Gras, transforms Finsbury Park into a carnival of kitsch tomorrow.

The festival will take over the park from 1pm-10pm and is expected to reach its maximum capacity of 85,000 people. It will be preceded by the Pride March and Parade, which starts from Hyde Park at noon and goes to Victoria.

The event - the highlight of the year for London's gay and lesbian community - is hoped to become as popular as its Australian counterpart. The Sydney Mardi Gras lasts a month and crowds reach the one million mark.

The gay tourist industry is worth three-quarters of a billion pounds a year to London and organisers believe that a high-profile annual Mardi Gras could help to attract thousands more visitors.

Sandra Elliott, director of marketing at the London Tourist Board said: "London is one of the world's great gay cities and has a enormous appeal for lesbian and gay visitors. Mardi Gras has the potential to attract visitors from across the UK, Europe and beyond.

"Gays are known to be frequent and loyal travellers, so they are a very important market to London, its hotels, shops, bars, clubs and theatres."

The Mardi Gras is a magnet for those with a penchant for sugary pop acts and this year will be no different with Steps, Mel B and Lisa Stansfield performing.

The Human League, Hear'Say, Dinah Carroll, 5IVE, A1 and Atomic Kitten will all play on the main stage with Channel 4's Graham Norton and Lorraine Kelly from GMTV presenting.

There will also be appearances by the newly reformed EMF who produced the anthem Unbelievable, a show hosted by top US dance DJ Frankie Knuckles, and sets by Judge Jules and Danny Rampling. Mass blessings for gay couples will be conducted by the Reverend Neil Thomas and about 400 are expected to be "married".

Tickets cost £15 or £7.50 concessions and are available on 020 7494 2225